Thanks to this case including 6 aromas bottles by the prestigious publishing house Jean Lenoir, you'll be able to train your nose to recognize at the frirst smell the aromas of your wine. A fun first step to become an expert in tasting wine !

A beautiful purplish-red colour with bleuish-violet reflections. Very shiny

Nose

On the nose, this wine has good intense and pleasant aromas. It’s a perfect example of the flavour of the syrah grape variety. When opened, the wine reveals a light woody touch and notes of peony flower.

Taste

Rich and structured, with beautiful volume. Fine and velvet tannins. The aftertaste is long and spicy

Service

To serve; 16°C. Keeping time: 4 to 8 years.

Food and wine matching

Ideal to match a slow-roast pork with apples & peppers

The winemaker

Before opening a winery, Chales Joguet was a painter. He has been between the first wine makers in the Loire region to adopt the enclosed winemaking that consists in dividing the vine in smaller areas and vinifying separately the grape coming from each section !"

The terroir

The AOC designated Saint-Joseph is located in the north of the Rhône Valley. The soil is granitic. The terraced vineyard benefits from a south sun exposure that allows the grape to mature and prosper at sun.

My VitiBox,July 2013/ bottle

Sold by case of 3 and 6 bottles until the 31 August 2013. Delivery in 21 days

This great bottle testifies the renewal of the winery Charles Jouquet located at Chinon. The grape variety 100% cabernet franc, with its notes of spices, perfectly matches a juicy grilled steak.

Grape variety

The only grape variety of this wine is the cabernet franc. It has a medium-dark appearance, fine tannins and aromas of red fruits and spices. It’s well known for his spicy flavour of red pepper.

Appearance

A very beautiful violet colour streaked with bluish-purple and coloured tears.

Nose

The pleasant nose opens up with notes of wild and grass. You can discover aromas of red pepper, hay, vanilla and even pepper.

Taste

Dense and powerful mouthfeel, with good ripe tannins.

Service

To serve at 16°C. To lay down up to 8 years.

Food and wine matching

It perfectly matches a juicy grilled steak with roasted vegetables. Followed by French Brie cheese and a cherry clofoutis as a dessert.

The winemaker

Before opening a winery, Chales Joguet was a painter. He has been between the first wine makers in the Loire region to adopt the enclosed winemaking that consists in dividing the vine in smaller areas and vinifying separately the grape coming from each section.

The terroir

Chinon, located in the hearth of the Val de Loire, is a small and prestigious vineyard. It extends over approximately 5700 acres, divided into nineteen villages. The vines are exposed to two main types of soil:

1/ The gravel terraces, which give us light and flavourful wines called “Easter wine” or “Spring wine”.

2/ The limestone and clayey-siliceous slopes give us wines that can be kept for years. This wine comes from this side of vineyard.

My VitiBox, July 2013/ bouteille

Sold by case of 3 and 6 bottles until the 31 August 2013. Delivery in 21 days

This great bottle testifies the renewal of the winery Charles Jouquet located at Chinon. Save 23% in comparison to the wine shops.

I discovered this prestigious wine when I visited the vineyards of the Rhône Valley. The syrah offers in this case a perfect equilibrium between fruit and tannins and it offers a strong wine with a beautiful aromatic intensity !

Grape variety

A cuvée 100% syrah produced by 20 to 50 years-old vineyards. The syrah is the most common red grape variety in the Crozes-Hermitage region. A surprising fact: some winemakers sometimes blend the syrah with a maximum of 15% of white grape varieties such as Marsanne or Roussanne!

a tempty nose of pure syrah with a nice intensity, pleasant and lightly woody. Also the nose is dominated by flavours of wild flowers and red fruits such as the blackcurrant, together with notes of minerals such the shale.

Taste

The wine is greedy, supple and flowery (violet) on the palate

Service

To serve between 13°C et 15°C. No need for decanting. Keeping time: until 2017.

Food and wine matching

Steak tartarePot-roasted guinea fowl with young vegetables

saint marcellinCherry cake

The winemaker

Franck Faugiers runs the winery, a family business since three generations. Passionate of rugby, Franck loves his work. He practices the environmental friendly viticulture with a real respect of fuits and vines and each year he participates to the hand-harvest with his team.

The terroir

The Hauts Chassis winery is located in the south of the area of the designation Crozes-Hermitage, in the village La Roche sur Glun. Crozes Hermitage is the most prestigious appellation of the northside of the Rhone Valley. The winery stretches for 32 acres where 29 are dedicated to the production of red wines. The soil is rich in glacial-fluvial sediments such as clay, sand and pebbles that have been transported by the glaciers and then transported by the rivers. .

My VitiBox, July. 2013/ bottle

Sold by case of 3 and 6 bottles until the 31 August 2013. Delivery in 21 days.

The syrah here offers a perfect balance of fruits and tannins and give us a great wine.

While observing the elegant appearance and the green tones of this wine, I think of the name of this fine wine produced in the Terre d’Argence. It refers to silvery shimmer of alders’ and olives’ leaves moved by the Mistral wind. This wine tasting reveals a generous, mineral and elegant wine. One of Robert Parker’s favourite.

The grape variety

35% Viognier, 30% Petit Manseng, 20% Roussanne, 25% Marsanne. The main grape variety is the viognier, cultivated in the savage vines of the Rhône region. It produces high quality white wines. They are smooth, fat, generous and perfumed on the palate.

The appearance

A lovely white gold with sun reflections and transparent and shiny appearance..

Nose

The nose is intense and reveals the floral part of the viognier grape and the exotic perfume of the roussanne, emphasized by woody notes of this wine aged in oak barrels.

Taste

The mouth is rich, soft and fresh with a nice balance

Service

To serve between 10°C and 12°C. Open just before serving. Keeping time: until 2016.

Before taking over the family business in 1990, the wine expert François Collard worked for the winery Château Lafite Rothschild at Bordeaux. Together with his wife François exploits the potential of this land by producing exceptional wines!

The terroir

This white wine is classified as a “Vin de Pays du Gard”. The vineyards are located between the southern regions of Rhône and Camargue. The soil is mostly composed of pebbles of sandstones that allow the ground to absorb the sunrays during the day and free them during the night to preserve the freshness and the purity of grapes. The Mistral wind blows on the vines for one third of the year and it assure a natural purification of the vineyards, reducing the need for sanitary treatments.

My VitiBox, juillet. 2013/ bouteille

Sold by case of 3 or 6 bottles until 30 September 2013. Delivery within 21 days.

This tasting reveals a generous, mineral and elegant wine. One of the favourite of Robert Parker.

Antiguas Reservas is one of the most important wines of Cusino Macul. The maturity of the New World meets the elegance of the traditional wines, thanks to his aging French oak barrels. The wines of this winery never stop to impress me!

Grape Variety

This grape variety is originally from France, more precisely from Bordeaux. The cabernet sauvignon is very common in Chile and it produces wines with aromas of blackcurrant and often red pepper and tobacco. The eucalyptuses in the Alto Maipo confer to this grape variety a particular and lively freshness.

Cousino Macul is a family business founded in 1956 and it is one of the oldest wine-producing families of Chili.
Three brothers of the Cousino family run the winery and their objective is to express with their wines, the real flavours of the Maipo Valley !

The terroir

The vineyards are situated in the southern region of the Maipo Valley called “Alto Maipo”, just 30 km south of Santiago, right at the foot of the Andes. The fresh air to the mountains that descend on the valley at night is very beneficial for the vines and for the soil that drain the water coming from the mountainsThe vineyards are situated in the southern region of the Maipo Valley called “Alto Maipo”, just 30 km south of Santiago, right at the foot of the Andes. The fresh air to the mountains that descend on the valley at night is very beneficial for the vines and for the soil that drain the water coming from the mountains.

My VitiBox, July. 2013/ bottle

Sold by case of 3 and 6 bottles until the 30 September 2013. Delivery in 21 days.

The maturity of the New World meets the elegance of the traditional wines, thanks to his aging French oak barrels.

This wine made his mark with originality and a distinctive style, based on the deep maturity of grapes and on the freshness and elegance of the taste. His ageing in oak barrels offer chocolate and toasted notes on the palate. It’s one of the best Chilean Carmenere according to Parker.

Grape variety

85% carmenere, 15% cabernet sauvignon. The grape variety carmenere was originally from Bordeaux, but it disappeared with the philloxera invasion (insects which feed roots of vines). Before, some plants where exported to Chili, this explain the importance presence of this grape variety in Chilean wines. The Carmenere wines are fleshy, supple and rich.

Appearance

The appearance - Nice ruby-red colour, light mahogany streaked.

Nose

Nose is complex and intense with blackcurrant, coffee and hibiscus, along with some nice exotic touches.

Bouche

La bouche est suave, élégante et équilibrée.

Service

To serve; 18°C. Open just before serving. Keeping time until 2018.

Food and wine matching

chorizo Pork stew with black beansPiedmont hazelnut cake

The winemaker

Mauro von Siebenthal lived two lifes. Before he lived in Switzerland where he was a layer. In 1998, with the financial support of four friends Mauro moved to Chile to fully satisfy his passion for the vineyards!

The terroir

85% carmenere, 15% cabernet sauvignon. The grape variety carmenere was originally from Bordeaux, but it disappeared with the philloxera invasion (insects which feed roots of vines). Before, some plants where exported to Chile, this explain the importance presence of this grape variety in Chilean wines. The Carmenere wines are fleshy, supple and rich.

My VitiBox, July. 2013/ bottle

Sold by case of 3 and 6 bottles until the 30 September 2013. Delivery in 21 days.

. His ageing in oak barrels offers chocolate and toasted notes on the palate.

The Egregore is one of the exceptional wines of the Bernard Magrez, the French wine magnate. I suggest you the vintage 2010 for his generous matter and his very long keeping potential. This cuvée Egregore is considered as a step to perfection…

Grape variety

58% of the surface of this vineyard is covered my merlot. In contrast to the Boredeaux tradition of blended wines, this wine is vinified with only one variety, fact very rare for this region. Merlot gives a nice suppleness and a tannic structure to wine, along with a superb aromatic set.

Appearance

A lovely colour with garnet reflections

Nose

The merlot provides a nice complexity of aromas. With ageing, aromas turn to touches of prune, understory and spices. These flavours are due to the maturation in French oak barrels.

Taste

Fleshy and supple. A nice, generous and tannic matter, endowed with a natural charming softness.

Service

To serve between 14°C and 16°C. To decant 30 minutes before serving. Keeping time until 2022 (best between 2016 et 2018).

Food and wine matching

Mushrooms mille feuilleGrilled rib steak with thyme and rosemary

Saint Nectaire cheeseCoffee pastry;

The winemaker

Known for his exceptional wine, Bernard Magrez is a self-made winemaker. He became the first owner of the grand wines classified at Bordeaux. We call him “ the men of 40 wineries”!

The terroir

The vineyard grows in the lieu-dit of Guerit, close to the village of Tauriac. The grape of the Egregore come from the slopes exposed to the plain sun of the Chateau Guerry. The soil is composed of clay and sand. The Château Guerry is the oldest wine of Bordeaux and it exists since three century.

My VitiBox, July. 2013/ bottle

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until 31 August 2013. Delivery in 21 days;

An exceptional cuvées from the vinery Bernard Magrez, with generous matter and his very long keeping potential.

This Pessac-Léognam does credit to its designation. It was vinified in the purest tradition of Bordeaux by the team of the winery Pape Clément, his famous neighbour (another propriety of Bernard Magrez). Why the Serenity? Because the winemakers have to be patient and temperate to best express these vineyards.…

Grape variety

A typical blending of this designation. The merlot gives the suppleness, whereas the cabernet sauvignon will bring structure and a tannic force that increase the keeping potential. The aromas of this grape variety get more intense when tasted after 18 month of aging in oak barrels.

Appearance

A very nice colour with violet reflections.

Nose

The nose is sourranded by strong notes of red fruits, in particularly we find the raspberry and blackcurrant, but also we feel intense flavours of red pepper, typical of cabernet sauvignon.

Taste

This full bodied wine is rich and woody with a remarkable density.

Service

To serve between 14°C and 16°C. To decant 30 minutes before servinf. Keeping time: until 2020.

Food and wine matching

T-bone steakSoft French cheeseRaspberry tart

The winemaker

Known for his exceptional wines, Bernard Magrez is an autodidact, become the first owner of the grand wines classified at Bordeaux. We call him “ the men of 40 wineries”!

The terroir

Pessac-Léognan is the renowned designation of the region of Graves, to the south of Bordeaux. His soil made of clays, limestone and gravels give to the Pessac-Léognam his distinctive taste. The soil stores sunlights during the day and free it during the night and it does a remarkable natural draining. These vineyards are closed to the well-known Château Pape Clément, Grand Cru Classé de Graves.

My VitiBox, July. 2013/ bottle

Sold by case of 3 ou 6 bouteilles until 31 august 2013. Delivery in 21 days.

“Summer holidays are over… To keep in mind the summer exoticism, I suggest you this beautiful bottle of Gigognan that will be paired with a Creole menu concocted by Catherine Naud, a martiniquan chef. The nose of this wine is very expressive and reveals a complex aromatic bouquet with perfumes of fruits and flowers. The bitter aftertaste confers to the wine a nice fresh touch. I definitely don’t advise to aerate the bottle.”

Grape variety

The roussanne is often blended with the marsanne since these two grape varieties perfectly complement each other. They produce light wines with light acid hints. Moreover the clairette variety makes the wine more alcoholic while preserving his freshness!

A very pleasant nose with intense aromas of yellow fruits such us clementine and white flowers.

Taste

Rounded, supple and fresh. Tannins are rounded and sweet.

Service

Serve between 10°C and12°C. Open just before serving. Keeping potential: until 2016.

Food and wine matchings

Samoussas aux légumesCoconut prawn fricassee

Coconut and plum flan

The winemaker

Annes and Jacques Callet became «winemaker by accident », as they like saying. They didn’t miss a chance to make the Château Gigognan shine and they reveal a strong passion for their vineyards. They are also kind hosts and they take special care of guests of their B&B, which mix the sophisticated Provençal style of XVIII century with the comfort of the modernity. The favourite of My VitiBox is: Sophie’s room!

The terroir

The vineyard is located in the south of of the Rhone Valley. It’s the region most exposed to the force of natural elements, but it also benefits of 2800 hours of sunshine per year! The Mistral wind is crucial since it allows the vineyard to recovery. However, the secret of these vineyards are in the soil composed of the so called “caïau frejaü” (rounded pebbles) with the ability to store heat by day and diffuse it during night..

My VitiBox, September 2013/ bottle

Sold by case of 3 or 6 bottle, until 30th Septembre 2013. Delivery within 21 days.

The nose of this wine is very expressive and reveals a complex aromatic bouquet with perfumes of fruits and flowers. The bitter aftertaste confers to the wine a nice fresh touch.

Last march you have tasted the Carillon du Château Fombrauge de Bernard Magrez. This month I would like to suggest you another wine Médoc: this Grand Cru is made by the Château Tour Carnet, a winery that was previously owned by the French philosopher Michel de Montaigne. The particularity of its vineyards is to use suspended wine lees to increase the aromas of the wine.

Grape variety

A wine blend typical for this region: merlot gives suppleness to wine whereas the cabernet sauvignon confers body, tannic structure and long keeping potential. The 18-years-old ageing in oak barrels allows the aromas to shine!

The nose is very elegant, pleasant, delicate and pure. We can smell an original mineralogy with iodized notes (oyster shell).

Taste

The taste is silky, fresh and harmonic. You can find a retro-olfaction of licorice and menthol.

Service

To serve between 14°C and 16°C. Open just before serving. Keeping time: until 2016.

Food and wine matching

Salmon tartareTurbot fillet with merlot sauce

Livarot Black chocolate mousse

The winemakers

Known for his special wines, Bernard Magrez is a self-made man who became the first owner of the prestigious classified wine (Grands Crus Classés) in Bordeaux.

The terroir

LThe winery is characterised by a soil composed of a calcareous clay basements covered with a thick layer of gravels called “gunziennes”. The same stones that you can find at the famous hill of La Tour Carnet. The gravels gunziennes were originally transported by glaciers and they are are poor in mineral and very draining. They oblige the roots of the vines to go deeply into the ground to find their nutriments..

My VitiBox, Septembre. 2013/ bottle

Sold by case of 3 and 6 bottles until 30 September 2013. Delivery within 21 days.

The particularity of its vineyards is to use suspended wine lees to increase the aromas of the wine. This allow the production of deep wines with a long-term stability.

This Australian wine is a superb discovery that I couldn’t wait to make you taste. The syrah is the most popular red grape variety in Australia. It is perfectly made by one of the most famous oenologist of the country. This well structured wine can be tasted from now, or you can lay it down for 5 years!

Grape Variety

Syrah, also called Shiraz in Australia, is the most popular grape variety of the McLaren Vale. Australia is also the second producer of Shiraz after France. However, the Australian shiraz, grows in a warmer climate with much higher temperatures resulting in a wine with very ripe fruit and lower acidity.

Pleasant and intense nose: you can detect notes of blackberry and strawberry

Taste

Structured and tannic taste. It is synonym of a good ageing potential!

Service

To serve between 14°C and 15°C. Open just before serving. Keeping potential until 2018.

Food and wine matching

Beef carpaccio with pestoJuicy barbecued steak

Maroilles cheese Blackberry and strawberry fruit salad

The winemaker

Joseph Osborn founded the Aremberg winery in 1912. Nice fact: this wine inherited its name from Joseph’s favourite horse, Footbolt. Four generations later, Chester Osborn takes the leading of this winery that is now one of the most well-known in Australia. In particular, it was elected “vineyard of the year 2009” from Wine and Spirits Magazine USA.

The terroir

The McLaren Vale is situated 25 miles south of Adelaide, capital city of the state of South Australia. The vineyards benefit from the Mediterranean-like climate conditions and the proximity to the coast assures warm winters. Water goes through the vine roots and influences the wine aromas..

My VitiBox, September. 2013/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until 30th September 2013. Delivery within 21 days.

The syrah is the most popular red grape variety in Australia. It is perfectly made by one of the most famous oenologist of the country.

Film director and producer, Francis Ford Coppola won five Oscars and two Palme d’or at the Cannes Festival. Few know that Francis is also the owner of a vineyard in the Napa Valley (California), which produces good wines at an excellent quality price ratio. Rosso 2011 is a light and fruity wine that will match simple and tasty dishes.

Grape variety

The grapes’ blend is interesting. Syrah donates a velvet texture to the wine; cabernet sauvignon gives them structure and aromas of red fruits. Petite syrah contributes to give body whereas the zinfandel, typical of this region, gives sweetness.

Appearance

Dark purple colour with violet reflections and coloured tears..

Nose

Very intense to the nose with strong aromas of strawberry, and blackcurrant. Let your self be tempted by the inebriating flavours….

Taste

Light, supple and fruity in the mouth. The simplicity of this wine makes him accessible to all…

Service

Serve between 14°C and 16°C. Open just before serving. Keeping potential until 2016.

Food and wine matching

Toast points with Black Olive Tapenade & Red Pepper

Roast chicken

Fresh cheese with wild blueberry jam

Blueberry and cassis muffin

The winemaker

Francis Ford Coppola has about as much passion for fine wine as he does for great film. And his passion is actually hereditary: during the Prohibition, Agostino Coppola produced his own wine in the basement of his flat in New York City.

The terroir

The Coppola vineyard is located in California, in the wine region of Lodi, 50 km south of Sacramento, in the hearth of the famous Napa Valley.
There, sunny days alternate with fresh nights and this slows the maturity process of grapes and increases their body and taste. The rivers Mokelumne and Cosumnes enrich the granitic soil of minerals. .

My VitiBox, September 2013/ bouteille

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until 30th September 2013. Delivery within 21 days.

Rosso 2011 is a light and fruity wine that will match simple and tasty dishes.

This wine from our September selection is atypical since it doesn’t have any chemical component: no sulphur, no ascorbic acid or chemical yeast. Maybe you didn’t know that the large majority of winemakers add different components to their wine to balance the final taste. Simon Hawkins does not embrace this philosophy and he keep producing a 100% natural wine. I am a fun of his wine and I believe he has won his bat against chemical components!

Grape variety

Gamay is a dark grape variety with white juice. It is also early and very productive; therefore it’s necessary to limit his liveliness to produce quality grapes. It mainly grows in the Beaujolais region. His peculiarity is to give fruity, fresh ad greedy wines. I usually suggest to drink them cold at 12°C.

Appearance

Dark purple robe with superb bluish-violet reflections.

Nose

Very expressive nose of black gamay. The smell is floral with notes of violets and tasty with aromas of strawberry.

Taste

The taste is juicy and rich of red fruits. Slightly spicy with notes of white pepper.

Service

To serve at 12°C. Open just before serving. Keeping potential juntil 2015.

Food and wine matching

ham and olives quichechicken and red pepper cubes a la plancha

saint-marcellin

summer pudding

Winemaker

Simon Hawkins worked in the textile trade in England before coming to France in 1990. There he changed his life and became winemaker! Press call him “Mad Englishman of the Cote Ronnaise” since Simon always chose to go counter currant to trait his vineyards and his wine. His motto his “authentic wines from sustainable viticulture and natural, hands-off wine making.”

The terroir

The vineyard is located in the Rhone Valley between Clermond Ferrand and Lyon, to the north of the Loire region. It extends on granitic and siliceous soils, both very favourable for winemaking. The Madeleine mountains enclose the areas. The climate is very mild with little rainfalls. For having the AOC designation, grape vines have to grow between 370 and 550 meters on the sea level.

My VitiBox, September. 2013/ bottle

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until 30th September 2013. Delivery within 21 days.

This wine from our September selection is atypical since it doesn’t have any addiction: no sulphur, no ascorbic acid or chemical yeast.

“A fine wine with an excellent price/quality ratio. Delicate aromas of strawberry and pepper come out from the blend of grenache and syrah. Wine is charming, fresh and fruity in the mouth. The aftertaste is sophisticated. The minimalist elegance will inebriate your senses. You can match this wine with the menu of Chef Michael Nizzero to spend good moments!

Grape variety

This wine is a blend of grenache (60%) and syrah (40%). Grenache is easily recognisable due to his thick, hard and bluehis skin. Grapes are big and fruits are juicy. It’s what we call a “generous” varietal. It’s known for his aromas of cassis and spicy blackberry. Its tannins get rounded once wine gets older.

Appearance

The robe is a shimmering light ruby red with purplish reflections..

Nose

The nose is fine and complex. Delicate aromas of strawberries and white pepper stay in your nose.

Taste

Mouth is supple, fresh and fruity. You will feel the smoothness and the silkiness of this wine in your mouth.

Service

To serve: between 13°C and 15°C. Open just before serving. Keeping potential until 2017.

Food and wine matching/p>

Grilled auberginesVeal filet mignon

Soft-ripened goat cheese

Gâteau basque

Winemaker

After having worked many years in winemaking cooperative, Julien Savanier and his wife bought the Chastelle winery in 2010. They wanted to “make the wine that we love”. Therefore, 2011 is their first harvest as owners of the vineyard. We have to say that for being their first, they have impressed us. This winery is a rising star!

Terroir

The Chastelle winery is located on the left bound of the Rhone river. Vineyards are 50 to 80 years old. The age of vineyards is usually a sign of quality: old vines produce less grapes but they are better exposed to sunlight and fruits are more concentred. The terroir is made of a great variety of soils, sometimes sandy, clayed-limestone and pebbly.

My VitiBox, octobre. 2013/ bottle

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until 31 October 2013. Deliver within 21 days.

A fine wine with an excellent price/quality ratio. Delicate aromas of strawberry and pepper come out from the blend of grenache and syrah.

“ Sophie Giraudin considers Les Terrassettes as “the cuvee for my friends”. It’s the most important and representative between all her wines. This tipple is light and complex at the same time, and this is what I love most. It’s rare to find a quality carignan, however, when they are well made, they are simply wonderful!”

Grape variety

The varietal carignan perfectly complements the syrah and it finds its natural environment in the Corbières. Once, carignan had a bad reputation due to its large diffusion. Thanks to the progress in winemaking techniques, many winemakers produce great wines based on this grape variety.

Appearance

Garnet colour, deeply shining with many purple reflections.

Nose

Nose is complex and immediately surrounded by fresh red fruits. Notes of cassis and wild blackberry inebriate our senses. Light aromas of thyme and rosemary add on top of red fruits.

Mouth

Generous and elegant on the palate, this wine is very well balanced and shows some nice velvet tannins.

Service

Temperature: between 13 et 15°C. Open 1 hour before serving. Keeping potential between until 2018 or more

Food and wine matching

Italians bruschettePizza napoletana/p>

Soft Goat Cheese

Fresh Fig cake

Winemaker

Owner of this winery since 2000, Sophie Giraudin likes calling herself “zero-generation winemaker”. She only produces Bio-certified wines and she also respects some principles of biodynamic agriculture. This practice consists in intensifying the exchange between grapevines and their environment (soil and air). The goal is to reach a better expression of the terroir and producing beautiful wines.

Terroir

Vineyards are situated in the heart of the Corbière denomination and they grow on clayey-limestone and silt-laden soil. Silts are granular material of a size somewhere between sand and clay and they occur as soil on a surface water body. Silts are very beneficial for soil’s fertility. Finally, the name of this wine comes from its terraced vineyards.

My VitiBox, October. 2013/ bottle

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles. Delivery within 21 days.

This tipple is light and complex at the same time, and this is what I love most.

“Roc des Mates is strong, tannic and velvety at the same time. The taste is pleasant and silky. It has a long keeping potential thanks to his 18 ageing in barrels. Here you have a fine wine, very representative of the Pic Saint-Loup denomination. This very tannic wine will seduce those who love masculine wines. Open two hours before serving to round tannins”.

Grape Varienty

This wine is a syrah-based blend. The result is a tannic and intense wine. Grenache varietal gives body (alcohol) to wine, whereas mourvèdre increases the keeping potential.

Appearance

Luminous garnet colour with violet reflections.

Nose

Nose is sophisticated and smells a bouquet of violets and red fruits (blackcurrant), with woody notes. It’s also slightly spicy and with gilled touches.

Taste

This wine has a large volume and nice construction in the mouth. Tannins are rounded, ripen and fresh. The result is a good balance.

Service

Service : between16 et 18°C. Open two hours before serving. Keeping potential until 2020.

Food and wine matching

Green olives tapenadeRoasted herb chicken

Mont d'Or Cheese

Sugar Crepes

Winemaker

André Leenhardt, Dedé for his friends, was mayor of his village and president of the syndicate of Pic Saint-Loup wines. He purchased this winery in 1988. Wines from south of France are known for their character and wild aspect; however Dedé has successfully given roundness, fineness and smoothness to this strong wine.

Terroir

Clayey soil, vegetation and Mediterranean climate are the stronger assets of terroir Pic Saint-Loup. Vineyards of this cuvee are situated on a mountain chain at 150 metres above sea level. In particular vines grow on calcareous-clay slopes that are skeletal thin and pebbly soils. 25-years old vineyards give good quality grapes since the age is in inverse proportion to quantity. Indeed smaller quantity allows grapes to grow better.

My VitiBox, octobre. 2013/ bottles

Sold by cases of 3 ou 6 bottles until 31 October 2013. Delivery within 21 days

Roc des Mates is strong, tannic and velvety at the same time. The taste is pleasant and silky. It has a long keeping potential thanks to his 18 ageing in barrels.

“The team of My VitiBox became bigger since when we welcomed Giorgia, a young Italian lady. I took the opportunity to turn to Sicily this month to let you discover an Italian grape variety, the Nero d’Avola. This varietal has particularly adapted to the Sicilian volcanic soil. This nice “little” wine is without pretentions but good quality and it goes well with simple but authentic dishes. There is no fuss in Sicily!"

Grape Variety

Nero d’Avola is a renowned Italian grape variety typical from Sicily. It is usually compared to the syrah and it produces strong wines, with a good balance between acidity and alcohol, and it has nice aromas of red fruits.

Service: between 12 et 14°C. Open just before serving. Keeping potential until 2016.

Food and wine matching

Caprese salad Truffle risotto

Pecorino cheese

Tiramisu

Winemaker

Mr Costantino likes saying that his ambition is “to capture flavours, smells and authenticity of Sicilian products”.
Established in1960 by Papà Onofrio, also called ”Nonò”, they are the third generations of winegrowers still passionate about vineyards and wine.

Terroir

Nero d’Avola is a renowned Italian grape variety typical from Sicily. It is usually compared to the syrah and it produces strong wines, with a good balance between acidity and alcohol, and it has nice aromas of red fruits.

My VitiBox, November. 2013/ bottle

Sold by case of 3 or 6 bottles until the 30th November 2013. Delivery within 21 days

This nice “little” wine is without pretentions but good quality and it goes well with simple but authentic dishes.

“ I love the fresh charm of this wine. It’s an explosion of fruits in your mouth that will delight your tastes.
I won’t hide you that I have already bought many bottles for my friends. I have to congratulate with the Klur family for his remarkable work and I am looking forward hearing your impressions on this bottle. Chef Georges Victor Schmitt proposes a delicious dish to be paired with Le Voyou de Katz.”

Grape variey

It’s a blended wine composed by the two driest varietals of Klur winery. Riesling and Sylvaner are typical of Alsace and they give a lively and sharp zest to wine. Muscat adds a sweet touch to the blend.

Appearance

Nice white gold colour with light green reflections.

Nose

Nose is fresh and intense at the same time. We clearly feel notes of orange peel and dried fruits.

Taste

Mouth is immediately supple and fresh. Then it surprises for its fruity richness. We clearly feel aromas of Golden apple.

Service

To be served: between 10 and 16°C. Open just before serving. Keeping potential until 2016.

The Klurs are an old dynasty of winemakers, like often happens in Alsace. Grapevine culture and winegrowing find their origins in the 17th century and it’s a family business. Clément and Francine Klur are also very committed to the biological and biodynamic agriculture and in the ecology.

Terroir

The Klurs are an old dynasty of winemakers, like often happens in Alsace. Grapevine culture and winegrowing find their origins in the 17th century and it’s a family business. Clément and Francine Klur are also very committed to the biological and biodynamic agriculture and in the ecology.

My VitiBox, November 2013/ bottle

Sold by cases of 3 and 6 bottles until 30 November 2013. Delivery within 21 days.

Alain loves the fresh charm of this wine. It’s an explosion of fruits in your mouth that will delight your tastes.

“The team of My VitiBox became bigger since when we welcomed Giorgia, a young Italian lady. I took the opportunity to turn to Sicily this month to let you discover an Italian grape variety, the Nero d’Avola. This varietal has particularly adapted to the Sicilian volcanic soil. This wine made by the Costantino family is characterised by interesting candied fruit notes and it will surprise you with its long aftertaste”.

Grape variety

Nero d’Avola is a renowned Italian grape variety typical from Sicily. It is usually compared to the syrah and it produces strong wines, with a good balance between acidity and alcohol, and it has nice aromas of red fruits.

Appearance

Light garnet colour, nicely intense.

Nose

Intense and pleasant nose. Surrounded by cooked red fruits, strawberry in particular. It also reveals evolving notes of vanilla.

Taste

Mouth is sweet and with touches of candied and compote fruits. It’s also supple and fresh.

Service

Service : between 12 et 14°C. Open just before serving. Keep it potentially until 2016.

Food and wine matching

Italian Parma HamPasta alla norma

Gorgonzola

Panna Cotta with red fruits top

Winemaker

Mr Costantino likes saying that his ambition is “to capture flavours, smells and authenticity of sicilian products”. Established in1960 by Papà Onofrio, also called ”Nonò”, they are the third generations of winegrowers still passionate about vineyards and wine.

Terroir

Costantino’s vineyards are located in the northwest of western Sicily at 15 km from the coast. They extend from 250 up to 600 meters above sea level and receive all the benefits of the Mediterranean Sea-breeze. Soils are clayey, calcareous and basic, properties that allow the development of high quality wines.

My VitiBox, November. 2013/ bottle

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 30th of November. Delivery in 21 days.

This wine made by the Costantino family is characterised by interesting candied fruit notes and it will surprise you with its long aftertaste.

“I wanted to let you taste this wine since I really like how the Magnaudeix family works. I herd that they have deservedly won the gold medal at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2013 (a prestigious world wine tasting championship). This wine can be sipped young thanks to its fruity and expressive aromas, but also in 10 years since it has a long keeping potential.”

Grape Variety

Merlot and Cabernet Franc are grape varieties traditionally from Bordeaux and more precisely from the Saint Emilion denomination. The terroir allows Cabernet Franc to come to maturity and to develop a better aromatic palette.

Appearance

Colour is dark garnet with blue-violet reflections. Micro-bubbles in suspension. Tears are coloured and the glass disc is very thin.

Nose

Intense and pleasant nose: we recognise the typical taste of ageing in oak barrels. Fist nose is very strong and develops aromas of vanilla, sweet spices, whereas second nose reveals aromas of liquorice and mint.

Taste

Mouth, dense and fruity, is harmonious and balanced with velvet tannins and nice aromas.

Service

Serve: between 14 and 16°C. Open 1 hour before serving. Keeping potential until 2025 or more.

Food and wine matching

Autumn sweet potato soupPepper sirloin steak

Maroilles cheese

Paris-Brest dessert

Winemaker

The Magnaudeix family has been working on vineyards for 6 generations. Today, Héléne, Catherine, Jean-Pierre and Romain bring a touch of modernity to the work done by their ancestors.

Terroir

Vines of Château Vieux Larmande grow on a dense layer of soil of hardpan basement covered by a calcareous-clay layer. The sublayer of hardpan is composed by clay, humus and iron and it’s a rare and very old soil. It gives stability to roots and prevents them from both dryness and high humidity and it contribute to the strength of vines.

My VitiBox, November 2013/ bottle

Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until 30th November 2013. Delivery within 21 days.

This wine can be sipped young thanks to its fruity and expressive aromas, but also in 10 years since it has a long keeping potential.

Thanks to this case including 6 aromas bottles by the prestigious publishing house Jean Lenoir, you'll be able to train your nose to recognize at the frirst smell the aromas of your wine. A fun first step to become an expert in tasting wine !